Early Cherry Blossom Festival
Item
Title
Early Cherry Blossom Festival
Description
As soon as the Japanese cherry trees were planted, Washingtonians and tourists enjoyed the blossoms every spring. Although there were cherry blossom fetes in the 1920s, they were mostly held in Hains Point. The first Cherry Blossom Festival, which was intended to be the start of an annual tradition, took place in the spring of 1934. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and a delegation from the Japanese embassy led the sunrise ceremony that opened the event. The Festival included a parade, a ball, fireworks, and a performance of the Mikado, an English operetta set in Japan, at the Sylvan Theatre.
Source
"Full Program is Announced," The Washington Post, April 4, 1934.
Date
4/19/1934
19340419
Coverage
1920-1949
Type
Cultural Gathering
topic
arts & culture
environment
work & play